Information processing device, information processing method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An information processing device includes: an image output unit which outputs a screen displayed on a display unit to an image display device; a display control unit which displays a first screen including a user interface screen at least in a part of the screen; a detection unit which detects that the user interface screen is switched from a first state that does not include predetermined information to a second state that includes the information; and an output control unit which outputs a second screen that does not include the user interface screen, instead of the first screen displayed by the display control unit, to the image output unit, if it is detected that the user interface screen is switched from the first state to the second state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/453,825 filed on Aug. 7, 2014, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-167633 filed Aug. 12,2013 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-104998 filed May 21, 2014,all of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information processing device, aninformation processing method, and a recording medium.

2. Related Art

A system in which a single image display device is shared by pluralusers, that is, a system in which video signals outputted from pluralcomputers are projected simultaneously on a single image display device,for example, a projector, is known. With respect to this system,JP-A-2011-215530 describes a technique for displaying, on the computerscreens, an operation screen to change the projection screen. Meanwhile,though not related to the system in which a single image display deviceis shared by plural users, JP-A-2010-54550 describes a technique fortemporarily hiding an OSD (on-screen display) image that is superimposedon an original image, and thus preventing a fall in visibility of theoriginal image. Moreover, JP-A-2009-251306 describes a technique forfreezing an image displayed on a main display device with respect to thecontrol of a multi-monitor that displays the same image on a maindisplay device and a sub display device.

When an image display device is shared by plural users, an imagecontaining information that the user does not want other users to seemay be displayed. For example, in the technique described inJP-A-2011-215530, the operation screen operated by the user is alsodisplayed on the projection screen.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a techniquethat prevents an image containing information that the user does notwant other users to see from being displayed on the image displaydevice.

An aspect of the invention provides an information processing deviceincluding: a display unit which displays a screen; an image output unitwhich outputs the screen displayed on the display unit to an imagedisplay device; a display control unit which displays a first screenincluding a user interface screen at least in a part of the screen; adetection unit which detects that the user interface screen is switchedfrom a first state that does not include predetermined information to asecond state that includes the information; and an output control unitwhich outputs a second screen that does not include the user interfacescreen, instead of the first screen displayed by the display controlunit, to the image output unit, if it is detected that the userinterface screen is switched from the first state to the second state.According to this information processing device, an image includinginformation that the user does not want other users to see is preventedfrom being displayed by the image display device.

The second state may be a state where the user interface screen has alarger area than in the first state. According to this informationprocessing device, the user interface screen with a large display areais prevented from being displayed by the image display device.

The first state may be a state where an input by a user is not accepted,and the second state may be a state where an input by a user isaccepted. According to this information processing device, the userinterface image in the state where the user's input is accepted isprevented from being displayed by the image display device.

The first state may be a state where the user interface screen is notdisplayed on the display unit, and the second state may be a state wherethe user interface screen is displayed on the display unit. According tothis information processing device, the user interface screen isprevented from being displayed by the image display device.

The first state may be a non-active state, and the second state may bean active state. According to this information processing device, animage of a program module in an active state is prevented from beingdisplayed by the image display device.

The second screen may be a still image of the user interface screenbefore switching from the first state to the second state. According tothis information processing device, when an image containing informationthat the user does not want other users to see is displayed on thedisplay unit, an image that does not contain the information that theuser does not want other users to see is displayed by the image displaydevice.

The second screen may be a screen with the same luminance over theentire screen. According to this information processing device, when animage containing information that the user does not want other users tosee is displayed on the display unit, an image that does not contain theinformation that the user does not want other users to see is displayedby the image display device.

The first program module may include a sharing unit which executesprocessing to allow plural users to share the image display device, anda single application program may include the first program module andthe second program module. According to this information processingdevice, when plural users share the image display device, an imagecontaining information that the user does not want other users to see isprevented from being displayed by the image display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a projection system PS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a PC.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of aprojector.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of thePC.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by the PC.

FIG. 6 illustrates a GUI for change in a second state.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by the projector.

FIG. 8 illustrates a GUI for change in a first state.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing anther processing by the PC.

FIG. 10A shows comparison of images.

FIG. 10B shows comparison of images.

FIG. 11 shows another comparison of images.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1. Configuration

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a projection system PS according to anembodiment of the invention. The projection system PS is a system inwhich a single image display device is shared by plural users. Theprojection system. PS includes plural personal computers 1 (1A to 1D)and a projector 2.

The personal computer 1 (hereinafter referred to as a “PC 1”) is aninformation processing device that functions as a video sourceoutputting a video signal to the projector 2. In this example, the PC 1Ato PC 1D are used by users U1 to U4, respectively. The plural PCs 1 arewirelessly connected to the projector 2 via an access point 3.

The projector 2 is an image display device which projects an imagerepresented by a video signal, on a screen SC. The projector 2 projectsan image corresponding to a video signal outputted from at least one ofthe plural PCs 1, on the screen SC. If video signals are outputted fromplural PCs 1, the projector 2 projects, on the screen SC, a single image(hereinafter referred to as a “combined image”) formed by a combinationof images (hereinafter referred to as “individual images”) correspondingto video signal outputted from the respective PCs 1. In the example ofFIG. 1, the projector 2 projects, on the screen SC, a combined image 50formed by a combination of respective individual images 40 (40A to 40D)from the PCs 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D.

In the projection system PS, the layout of the combined image 50 ischanged by an instruction from a user U (U1 to U4) inputted via agraphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as a “GUI for change”)displayed on a display unit by an application program executed on eachPC 1. That is, in the projection system PS, the user U of each PC 1 hasthe right to change the layout of the combined image 50. In thisexample, there is no hierarchical relationship such as a master-slaverelationship but an equal relationship between the respective users.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC1. The PC 1 is a computer having a CPU (central processing unit) 101, aROM (read only memory) 102, a RAM (random access memory) 103, a storageunit 104, a display unit 105, an input unit 106, and a communicationunit 107. The CPU 101 is a device (execution unit) which executes aprogram and thus controls each part of the PC 1. The ROM 102 is anon-volatile storage device in which various programs and data arestored. The RAM 103 is a volatile storage device which stores data. Thestorage unit 104 is a storage device which stores data and programs, forexample, HDD (hard disk drive). The display unit 105 has a displaydevice such as a liquid crystal display or organic EL(electroluminescence) display. The input unit 106 is a device whichaccepts an operation input from the user U and includes a keyboard, amouse and various buttons or the like. The communication unit 107communicates with external devices such as another PC 1 or the projector2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of theprojector 2. The projector 2 has an MCU (micro control unit) 201, a ROM202, a RAM 203, a video signal receiver 204, a frame rate conversioncircuit 205, a panel drive circuit 206, a liquid crystal panel 207, anda communication unit 208. The MCU 201 is a device which executes aprogram and thus controls each part of the projector 2. The ROM 202 is anon-volatile storage device in which various programs and data arestored. The RAM 203 is a volatile storage device which stores data. TheRAM 203 has a frame memory which stores data representing an image ofone frame.

The video signal receiver 204 acquires a video signal from the PC 1. TheMCU 201 stores the video signal acquired by the video signal receiver204 into the frame memory of the RAM 203 as an image of each frame. Ifthe video signal receiver 204 acquires video signals from plural PCs 1,the MCU 201 generates a combined image 50 and stores the combined imageinto the frame memory. The frame rate conversion circuit 205 convertsthe frame rate of the video signal so that the number of times imagedisplays are switched during a second matches the frame rate of thepanel drive circuit 206. The MCU 201 enlarges or reduces the imagestored in the frame memory, according to the resolution of the liquidcrystal panel 207. The MCU 201 writes the enlarged or reduced image intothe frame memory. The panel drive circuit 206 generates a panel drivesignal for driving the liquid crystal panel 207, based on the image readout from the frame memory. The panel drive circuit 206 outputs the paneldrive signal to the liquid crystal panel 207. The liquid crystal panel207 has plural pixels arranged in a matrix. The liquid crystal panel 207is used as a light modulator (light valve) which modulates an opticalcharacteristic (for example, transmittance) of light radiated from alight source, not shown, for each pixel on the basis of the panel drivesignal. The light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 207 is magnifiedby a lens, not shown, and projected on the screen SC. The communicationunit 208 wirelessly communicates with the PC 1 via the access point 3.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the PC1. In this example, the functions according to the invention arerealized by software. Therefore, FIG. 4 shows the software configurationof the PC 1. In the PC 1, an OS (operating system) 8 and a conferenceprogram 9 are stored in the storage unit 104. The OS 8 is software whichprovides an interface equivalent to an abstract form of hardware, to anapplication program. The conference program 9 is an application programfor the plural PCs 1 to share the projector 2, and operates on the OS 8.The conference program has a sharing module 91 and a monitoring module92.

The sharing module 91 is a program module (example of a first programmodule) for the plural PCs 1 to share the projector 2. The sharingmodule 91 includes a sharing control unit 911 and a display control unit912. The sharing control unit 911 carries out processing to establishconnection with the projector 2, processing to add, delete and change auser to share the projector 2, and change of user's layout in thecombined image. The display control unit 912 outputs data of a userinterface screen of the conference program to the OS 8 in order todisplay this screen on the display unit 105. The OS 8 displays the userinterface screen in an area (example of a first area) allocated to theconference program, of the display area of the display unit 105. Theterm “user interface screen” used here refers to a screen that isdisplayed as a program is executed, and includes a screen showing theresult of execution and a screen prompting the user to enter an input,for example.

The monitoring module 92 is a program module (example of a secondprogram module) for monitoring the behavior of the sharing module 91.The monitoring module 92 includes an image output unit 921, a detectionunit 922, and an output control unit 923. The image output unit 921outputs an image displayed on the display unit 105 to the projector 2.When connection with the projector 2 is established by the sharingmodule 91, all the images displayed in the display area of the displayunit 105 are outputted to the projector 2. That is, the projection imageby the projector 2 includes the screen displayed on the display unit 105of the PC 1 as it is. For example, if a program for reproducing a slideshow for a presentation is executed in the PC 1, the projection imageincludes this slide show. If plural application programs are started inthe PC 1 and plural windows are thus displayed, a screen containing theplural windows is projected.

The detection unit 922 detects that the sharing module is switched froma first state to a second state. The first state refers to a state wherepredetermined information is not included in the user interface screen.The predetermined information is information that the user does not wantother users to see, which will be described in detail later. The secondstate is a state where the predetermined information is included. Theoutput control unit 923 switches the image outputted from the imageoutput unit 921 to a second screen that does not include the userinterface screen of the conference program 9, if it is detected that thesharing module 91 is switched from the first state to the second state.The screen that does not include the user interface screen of theconference program 9 refers to a different screen from the screendisplayed on the display unit 105 at the time. Normally, the projector 2projects the same screen (example of a first screen) as the screendisplayed on the display unit 105, in the display area allocated to thePC 1. However, the second screen is different from this.

2. Operation

2-1. Outline of Conference Program

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing related to the start or stop ofoutput of a video signal from the PC 1 to the projector 2. FIG. 5 showsprocessing in which the PC 1 starts or stops outputting a video signalin response to a command from the projector 2. In the following example,the projection system PS is used for a conference attended by pluralusers. A video signal outputted from each PC 1 to the projector 2 is asignal representing a dynamic image with a predetermined frame rate. Thedynamic image data shows a difference from the previous frame. Thefollowing processing is started, for example, triggered by the startupof the conference program in the PC 1 in the state where the PC 1 andthe projector 2 are wirelessly connected together. In the descriptionbelow, software such as the conference program 9 may be described as theagent of processing, and this means that the CPU 101 executing thissoftware executes the processing in cooperation with other hardwareelements.

In Step SA1, the sharing control unit 911 notifies the projector 2 thatthe conference program 9 is started up. In this example, the projector 2manages the PC 1 in which the conference program 9 is started up, andfor this management, the projector 2 is notified of the startup of theconference program. This notification includes the user name (user ID).The user name is specified, for example, by login processing. The deviceID of the PC 1 may be used instead of the user name. The device ID is anidentifier that univocally identifies each of the PCs 1A to 1D.

In Step SA2, the display control unit 912 causes the display unit 105 todisplay a GUI for change. Specifically, the display control unit 912generates an image representing the GUI for change and causes thedisplay unit 105 to display this image. An area for the GUI for change(for example, a so-called window) is allocated by the OS 8 to a part ofthe display area of the display unit 105. The GUI for change isdisplayed in this area.

FIG. 6 illustrates a GUI for change. A GUI for change 70 has buttons 720(720 a to 720 c), an area L1, and an area L2. The buttons 720 arebuttons to change the number of divisions of the screen SC (that is, thenumber of individual images 40 projected on the screen SC). If thebutton 720 a is clicked on, the screen SC is divided into four. If thebutton 720 b is clicked on, the screen SC is divided into two. If thebutton 720 c is clicked on, the screen SC is not divided (a singleindividual image 40 is displayed). In FIG. 6, the button 720 withhatched background indicates the number of divisions that is currentlyselected. In this example, the button 720 b is selected and the numberof divisions is 2.

The area L1 is an area showing the arrangement of the individual images40 in the combined image 50. The area L1 is divided into areascorresponding to a maximum value of the number of divisions. In thisexample, the area L1 has two rows by two columns, that is, fourindividual areas f1 (f11 to f14). In the individual areas f11 to f14,the identifiers of the PCs 1 corresponding to the respective areas (inthis example, the user names of the PCs 1) are displayed. In the areaL1, the individual area f1 corresponding to a PC 1 where the individualimage 40 outputted from the own device is included in the combined image50 (hereinafter referred to as an “active PC”) and the individual areaf1 corresponding to a PC 1 that is not an active PC (hereinafterreferred to as a “non-active PC”) are distinguished to be displayed. Inthe example shown in FIG. 6, the individual area f1 corresponding to theactive PC 1 is displayed with white background, and the individual areaf1 corresponding to the non-active PC 1 is displayed with hatchedbackground. That is, the PC 1A and the PC 1B used by the user U1 and theuser U2 are active PCs (the individual images 40 of the PC 1A and the PC1B are actually projected on the screen SC). Meanwhile, the PC 1C usedby the user U3 is a non-active PC (the individual image 40 of the PC 1Cis not projected on the screen SC yet). In the area L1, not all theindividual areas f1 should correspond to the PCs 1. In the example ofFIG. 6, no PC 1 corresponds to the individual area f14 (no user name isdisplayed).

The area L2 is an area for changing the correspondence between theindividual area f1 and the PC 1. A list of the identifiers of the PCs 1that are wirelessly connected to the projector 2 (hereinafter referredto as a “connected PC list”) is displayed in the area L2. In the exampleof FIG. 6, the identifiers of the user U1, the user U2, the user U3 andthe user U4 are displayed in the area L2. The correspondence between theindividual area f1 and the PC 1 is changed by the user U operating themouse to drag the identifier displayed in the area L2 (moving the mousewhile keeping pressing the mouse button) and then drop the identifier inthe area L1 (release the mouse button). For example, if the identifierof the user U4 displayed in the area L2 is dragged and dropped in theindividual area f14, the sharing control unit 911 determines that aninstruction to cause the PC 1D to correspond to the individual area f14is inputted, and therefore causes the PC 1D to correspond to theindividual area f14. As a result of this correspondence, the identifierof the user U4 is displayed in the individual area f14.

To generate the image of the GUI for change, information such as thenumber of divisions that is currently selected and the user name of thePC 1 connected to the projector 2 is necessary. Hereinafter, theinformation used to generate the GUI for change is called layoutinformation. The layout information is provided from the projector 2.The projector 2 stores the layout information and transmits the layoutinformation at predetermined timing to the PC 1 connected to theprojector 2. The layout information includes, for example, the number ofdivisions that is currently selected, the identifier of the active PC,the identifier of the non-active PC, the arrangement of the individualimages 40 in the combined image 50, and the user name of the userconnected.

Referring again to FIG. 5, in Step SA3, the sharing control unit 911determines whether a layout change operation is accepted or not. Thelayout change operation is carried out by the user carrying out anoperation input via the GUI for change in the second state, as describedabove. If it is determined that a layout change operation is accepted(SA3: YES), the sharing control unit 911 stores information indicatingthe content of the layout change operation into the RAM 103 and shiftsthe processing to Step SA4. If it is determined that a layout changeoperation is not accepted (SA3: NO), the sharing control unit 911 shiftsthe processing to Step SA5.

In Step SA4, the sharing control unit 911 transmits a command to changethe layout of the combined image 50 (hereinafter referred to as a“layout change command”) to the projector 2. Specifically, the sharingcontrol unit 911 transmits information indicating the content of thelayout change operation stored in the RAM 103. As described later, theprojector 2 changes the layout information according to this informationand distributes the changed layout information to each PC 1.

In Step SA5, the sharing control unit 911 determines whether a commandto start outputting a video signal (hereinafter referred to as an“output start command”) or a command to stop outputting a video signal(hereinafter referred to as an “output stop command”) is received fromthe projector 2 or not. If it is determined that an output start commandor an output stop command is received (SA5: YES), the sharing controlunit 911 stores the acquired output start command or output stop commandinto the RAM 103 and shifts the processing to Step SA6. If it isdetermined that an output start command or an output stop command is notreceived (SA5: NO), the sharing control unit 911 shifts the processingto Step SA7.

In Step SA6, the image output unit 921 starts or stops outputting avideo signal, in response to the output start command or the output stopcommand. If the output start command is acquired, the image output unit921 starts outputting a video signal to the projector 2. If the outputstop command is acquired, the image output unit 921 stops outputting avideo signal to the projector 2.

In Step SA7, the sharing control unit 911 determines whether aninstruction to end the conference (hereinafter referred to as an “endinstruction”) is inputted or not. The end instruction is inputted, forexample, by clicking on an end button displayed on a GUI that isdifferent from the GUI for change, in the conference program. If it isdetermined that an end instruction is inputted (SA7: YES), the sharingcontrol unit 911 shifts the processing to Step SA8. If it is determinedthat an end instruction is not inputted (SA7: NO), the sharing controlunit 911 shifts the processing to Step SA9.

In Step SA8, the sharing control unit 911 transmits a notificationindicating the end instruction (hereinafter referred to as an “endnotification”) to the projector 2. In Step SA9, the sharing control unit911 determines whether an end notification is received from theprojector 2 or not. In this example, if an end instruction is inputtedfrom a certain PC 1, control is performed to end the conference programin all the PCs 1. If an end instruction is inputted from a certain PC 1,the projector 2 distributes an end notification to the other PCs 1 andcauses the conference program to end. If it is determined that an endnotification is received (SA9: YES), the sharing control unit 911 shiftsthe processing to Step SA10. If it is determined that an endnotification is not received (SA9: NO), the sharing control unit 911shifts the processing to Step SA2.

In Step SA10, the sharing control unit 911 ends the execution of theconference program. As the execution of the conference program ends, thedisplay of the GUI for change and the output of the video signal arestopped.

2-2. Processing by Projector 2

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing by the projector 2. Thefollowing processing is started, triggered by the reception by theprojector 2 of a notification that the conference program is started up(hereinafter referred to as a “startup notification”) from one of thePCs 1. The projector 2 stores the identifier of the PC 1 from which thestartup notification is transmitted, into the RAM 203. Also, apart fromthe processing shown in FIG. 7, the projector 2 carries out processingto generate a combined image and project the generated combined image onthe screen SC.

In Step SB1, the MCU 201 determines whether a layout change command isreceived from one of the PCs 1 or not. If it is determined that a layoutchange command is received (SB1: YES), the MCU 201 stores the layoutchange command into the RAM 203 and shifts the processing to Step SB2.If it is determined that a layout change command is not received (SB1:NO), the MCU 201 shifts the processing to Step SB5.

In Step SB2, the MCU 201 changes the layout information stored in theRAM 203 according to the content of the layout change operation carriedout in the PC 1. In Step SB3, the MCU 201 transmits an output startcommand or an output stop command to one or plural PCs 1. Specifically,based on the layout information, the MCU 201 transmits an output startcommand to a PC 1 that newly becomes an active PC, and transmits anoutput stop command to a PC 1 that newly becomes a non-active PC.

In Step SB4, the MCU 201 transmits the layout information to each of thePCs 1 where the conference program is started up. In Step SB5, the MCU201 determines whether an end notification is received from one of thePCs 1 or not. If it is determined that an end notification is received(SB5: YES), the MCU 201 deletes the identifier of the PC from which theend notification is acquired, from the connected PC list, and shifts theprocessing to Step SB6. If it is determined that an end notification isnot received (SB5: NO), the MCU 201 shifts the processing to Step SB1.In Step SB6, the MCU 201 transfers the end notification. Specifically,the MCU 201 transmits the end notification to the PCs 1 included in theconnected PC list.

2-3. Processing of Monitoring Module

In the example of FIG. 6, the window displaying the GUI for change 70includes a window bar and a window main body. The OS 8 provides thefunction of closing the window main body and displaying only the windowbar. The state where the window main body is closed and the state wherethe window main body is opened can be switched, for example, by the userU operating the mouse to click on a changeover button 710 (FIG. 6).

FIG. 8 illustrates the state where the window main body is closed in theGUI for change 70 of FIG. 6. The state where the window main body isclosed is an example of the first state. The state where the window mainbody is opened (FIG. 6) is an example of the seconds state. That is, inthis example, the output control unit 923 of the monitoring module 92outputs an image that does not include the real-time GUI for change 70to the projector 2, triggered by the switching of the GUI for change 70from the first state to the second state.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing in the case where the stateof the GUI for change is switched. FIG. 9 shows the processing in whichthe PC 1 starts or stops outputting a video signal according to theoperation of the changeover button 710 on the GUI for change 70. Thefollowing processing is started, triggered by the circumstance where theoutput of a video signal is started in Step SA6 of FIG. 5 (that is, theown device is an active PC) and where the GUI for change 70 in the firststate is displayed on the display unit 105. Also, the followingprocessing is repeated until the output of a video signal that isstarted is stopped in Step SA6 again.

In Step SC1, the detection unit 922 determines whether an instruction toswitch the GUI for change from the first state to the second state(hereinafter referred to as an “enlargement instruction”) is inputted ornot (that is, whether the changeover button 710 of FIG. 8 is clicked onor not). If it is determined that an enlargement instruction is inputted(SC1: YES), the detection unit 922 shifts the processing to Step SC2. Ifit is determined that an enlargement instruction is not inputted (SC1:NO), the detection unit 922 keeps the processing standing by until anenlargement instruction is inputted.

In Step SC2, the output control unit 923 stops the output of a videosignal. As the output of a video signal from an active PC is stopped inStep SC2, data showing the difference from the previous frame is notsupplied to the projector 2. Therefore, the individual image 40 aboutthis active PC is not updated and is projected on the screen SC in astopped (frozen) state.

In Step SC3, the display control unit 912 switches the GUI for change 70from the first state (FIG. 8) to the second state (FIG. 6).

In Step SC4, the detection unit 922 determines whether an instruction toswitch the GUI for change from the second state to the first state(hereinafter referred to as a “reduction instruction”) is inputted ornot (that is, whether the changeover button 710 of FIG. 6 is clicked onor not). If it is determined that a reduction instruction is inputted(SC4: YES), the detection unit 922 shifts the processing to Step SC5. Ifit is determined that a reduction instruction is not inputted (SC4: NO),the detection unit 922 keeps the processing standing by until areduction instruction is inputted.

In Step SC5, the display control unit 912 switches the GUI for change 70from the second state to the first state.

In Step SC6, the output control unit 923 resumes the output of a videosignal. Thus, the image projected by the projector 2 includes the sameimage as the image displayed on the display unit 105.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show comparisons between images displayed on thedisplay unit 105 and images projected on the screen SC (images displayedon the liquid crystal panel 207). FIGS. 10A and 10B show comparisons inan example where a single individual image 40 is projected alone(example where the number of divisions is 1) and where the PC 1 havingthe illustrated display unit 105 is an active PC. FIG. 10A shows changewith time of the individual image 40 in the case where the processingshown in FIG. 9 is not carried out. In FIG. 10A, a time t12 represents atime that is later than a time t11 and after an enlargement instructionis inputted. At the time t11, the GUI for change 70 in the first stateis superimposed on the main image on the display unit 105 and the screenSC. At the time t12, the GUI for change 70 in the second state issuperimposed on the main image on the display unit 105 and the screenSC. As shown in FIG. 10A, if the processing shown in FIG. 9 is notcarried out, the GUI for change 70 in the second state is projected onthe screen SC. The GUI 70 is a screen for changing the setting andtherefore includes information that the user does not want other usersto see.

FIG. 10B shows change with time of the individual image 40 in the casewhere the processing shown in FIG. 9 is carried out. In FIG. 10B, a timet22 is a time that is later than a time t21 and after an enlargementinstruction is inputted. A time t23 is a time that is later than thetime t22 and after a reduction instruction is inputted. At the time t21,the GUI for change 70 in the first state is superimposed on the mainimage on the display unit 105 and the screen SC. At the time t22, theGUI for change 70 in the second state is superimposed on the main imageon the display unit 105. Also, at the time t22, the individual image 40that is projected on the screen SC immediately before the enlargementinstruction is inputted (here, at the time t21) is projected on thescreen SC. At the time t23, the GUI for change 70 in the first state issuperimposed on the main image on the display unit 105 and the screenSC. As shown in FIG. 10B, if the processing shown in FIG. 9 is carriedout, when an enlargement instruction is inputted, a different image fromthe image displayed on the display unit 105 (still image of the imagedisplayed on the display unit 105) is projected on the screen SC.Therefore, the GUI for change 70 in the second state is projected on thescreen SC and the process of a layout change operation is prevented frombeing projected on the screen SC.

FIG. 11 shows another comparison between images displayed on the displayunit 105 and images projected on the screen SC. FIG. 11 shows acomparison in the case where another PC 1 that is different from the PC1 having the illustrated display unit 105 is an active PC. In FIG. 11, atime t32 is a time that is later than a time t31 and after anenlargement instruction is inputted. As shown in FIG. 11, if another PC1 that is different from the PC 1 having the illustrated display unit105 is an active PC, the image on the illustrated display unit 105 isnot projected on the screen SC at any time. Therefore, the process of alayout change operation is not projected on the screen SC in this case,either.

3. Modifications

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment and variousmodified embodiments are possible. Hereinafter, several modificationswill be described. Two or more of the following modifications may becombined.

3-1. Modification 1

The program module to be monitored by the monitoring module is notlimited to the sharing module 91 described in the embodiment, that is,the program module for processing to share the projector. A programmodule that provides other functions than sharing of the projector, suchas word processor, mailer, presentation software, or media player, maybe a target to be monitored.

The target to be monitored may be the whole of the program module or maybe a specific function (sub program module) of the program module. Forexample, if the program module to be monitored is a media player, thefunction of changing the setting of content reproduction may be a targetto be monitored, without monitoring the function of reproducingcontents. That is, in this case, when a content is being reproduced, thesame image as the image displayed on the display unit 105 is projectedby the projector 2. When the user is changing the setting, a differentimage from the image displayed on the display unit 105 is projected bythe projector 2.

As another example, if the program module to be monitored is a mailerhaving the function of providing a notification in the form of a pop-upwindow showing the sender and title of a received email when the emailis received, the communication function of this received email may be atarget to be monitored. In this case, when the mailer operating in thebackground is issuing a receiving notification on receiving an email, adifferent image from the image displayed on the display unit 105 isprojected by the projector 2.

In this way, the function to be monitored, that is, information that theuser does not want other users to see, varies depending on the programmodule to be monitored.

3-2. Modification 2

The monitoring module and the program module to be monitored may beincluded in separate application programs. For example, the monitoringmodule may be provided as an application program (monitoringapplication) that is separate from a conference program including theprogram module to be monitored. In this case, the application program tobe monitored may be preset in the monitoring application or may beregistered by the user.

3-3. Modification 3

The first state and the second state of the program module to bemonitored are not limited to the states described in the embodiment. Thefirst state and the second state may correspond to, for example, atleast one of the following 1. to 4.

1. The first state has a small display area, whereas the second statehas a large display area.

The states described in the embodiment are of this example. That is, thestate where the window main body is closed is the first state, and thestate where the window main body is opened is the second state.Alternatively, an icon state may be the first state, whereas the statewhere the window is opened may be the second state.

2. The user's input is not accepted in the first state, whereas theuser's input is accepted in the second state.

For example, the state where the window main body is closed and theiconized state, which are already described, are equivalent to the statewhere the user's input is not accepted. Also, for example, the statewhere a content is being reproduced by a media player may be equivalentto the first state, and the state where a dialog box for setting isopened may be equivalent to the second state.

3. A screen is not displayed in the first state, whereas a screen isdisplayed in the second state.

For example, the state where an application is operating in thebackground may be equivalent to the first state, whereas the state wherethe application is operating in the foreground may be equivalent to thesecond state.

4. The first state is non-active, whereas the second state is active.

For example, in a multi-window system, the application of the windowdisplayed at the forefront is active, and the applications of the otherwindows are non-active. The terms “active” and “non-active” here havedifferent meanings from the terms “active PC” and “non-active PC” usedin the description of the area L1.

3-4. Modification 4

The second screen is not limited to the screen described in theembodiment. In the example of the embodiment, the second screen is astill image of the image that is displayed on the display unit 105immediately before the program module to be monitored is switched fromthe first state to the second state. In this example, the screen looksfrozen to other users. In another example, the second screen may be ascreen with uniform luminance over the entire face, for example, atotally black screen. In this example, the screen looks muted to otherusers. In still another example, the second screen may be a screen inwhich an image displayed on the display unit 105 is pixelated orhatched. In this example, other users can see that the projected imageis changing, though they cannot see the information in detail. In thefirst two examples, since the projected image is a still image, there isa possibility of misunderstanding that trouble has occurred in the PC 1that is the video source. However, with a pixelated image, thepossibility of such misunderstanding can be reduced.

The method for displaying the second screen is not limited to the methoddescribed in the embodiment. In the embodiment, the output of a videosignal from the PC 1 to the projector 2 is stopped, thus generating thesecond image. However, the second screen may be generated in the PC 1and a video signal representing the second screen may be outputted tothe projector 2.

3-5. Other Modifications

The user interface screen is not limited to the example of FIG. 6.Moreover, the layout change operation is not limited to the operationdescribed in the embodiment. For example, in the area L1, the user U maydrag an identifier shown in one individual area f1 and drop theidentifier in another individual area f1, thus changing thecorrespondence between the individual area f1 and the PC 1.

In the projection system PS, the PC 1 provided with the right to changethe layout is not limited to all the PCs 1 connected to the projector 2.It is also possible that only one or some of the PCs 1 are provided withthe right to change the layout. In this case, in the PC 1 that is notprovided with the right to change the layout, the GUI for change is notdisplayed and the processing shown in FIG. 9 is not carried out, either.

The hardware configurations of the PC 1 and the projector 2 are notlimited to the configurations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The PC 1 and theprojector 2 may have any hardware configurations that can realize thefunctions of FIG. 4. For example, a volatile storage device may be usedinstead of the ROM 102 or the ROM 202. As another example, the lightmodulator of the projector 2 may be a light modulator having acombination of a liquid crystal panel and a color wheel, a lightmodulator using a digital mirror device (DMD), or a light modulatorhaving a combination of a DMD and a color wheel. Also, the projector 2may include the function of the access point 3.

The configuration of the projection system PS is not limited to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1. For example, only one PC 1 may beconnected to the projector 2, and the other PCs 1 may be connected tothe one PC 1. In this case, the PC 1 connected to the projector 2generates a combined image according to video signals outputted from theother PCs 1 and outputs a video signal representing the generatedcombined image to the projector 2. Also, this PC 1 transmits layoutinformation to the other PCs 1. Moreover, the video signal outputtedfrom the PC 1 may be an analog signal. If the video signal is an analogsignal, when an instruction to switch the GUI for change to the secondstate is inputted, for example, a video signal representing apredetermined image is outputted to the projector 2.

The information processing device to which the invention is applied isnot limited to a personal computer. For example, the invention may alsobe applied to a tablet terminal. Also, the image display device to whichthe information processing device according to the invention outputs asignal is not limited to the projector 2. The image display device maybe any device that displays an image corresponding to a signal outputtedform the information processing device, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay device having a direct-view liquid crystal display.

The connection between the PC 1 and the projector 2 is not limited towireless connection. The PC 1 and the projector 2 may be wire-connectedvia an image signal cable and a USB (universal serial bus) cable or thelike.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device comprising: a display unit; and at least one processor configured to: cause the display unit to display a first screen including a user interface screen; and if the user interface screen is switched from a first state to a second state, then: output a second screen to an image display device instead of the first screen displayed by the display unit, or stop outputting the first screen to the image display device, wherein the user interface screen does not include predetermined information in the first state and includes the predetermined information in the second state, and the second screen includes the user interface screen that does not include the predetermined information, and wherein the predetermined information comprises a list of a plurality of identifiers of a plurality of information processing devices communicatively connected to the image display device.
 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second state is a state where the user interface screen has a larger area than in the first state.
 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first state is a state where an input by a user is not accepted, and the second state is a state where an input by a user is accepted.
 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first state is a non-active state, and the second state is an active state.
 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second screen is a still image of the user interface screen before the user interface screen is switched from the first state to the second state.
 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second screen is a screen with the same luminance over the entire screen.
 7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute processing to allow a plurality of users to share the image display device.
 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein if the at least one processor detects that the user interface screen is switched from the second state to the first state, the at least one processor outputs the first screen to the image display device.
 9. A method for controlling an information processing device communicatively connected to an image display device, the method comprising: displaying a first screen including a user interface screen; and if the user interface screen is switched from a first state to a second state, then: outputting a second screen to the image display device instead of the first screen, or stopping output of the first screen to the image display device, wherein the user interface screen does not include predetermined information in the first state and includes the predetermined information in the second state, and the second screen includes the user interface screen that does not include the predetermined information, and wherein the predetermined information comprises a list of a plurality of identifiers of a plurality of information processing devices communicatively connected to the image display device.
 10. A computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to: display a first screen including a user interface screen by a display unit; and if the user interface screen is switched from a first state to a second state, then: output a second screen to an image display device instead of the first screen, or stop output of the first screen to the image display device, wherein the user interface screen does not include predetermined information in the first state and includes the predetermined information in the second state, and the second screen includes the user interface screen that does not include the predetermined information, and wherein the predetermined information comprises a list of a plurality of identifiers of a plurality of information processing devices communicatively connected to the image display device. 